Fam : Rosaceae
Spe.: Rhaphiolepis bibas (Lour.) (Eriobotrya japonica)
Common name: Japanese medlar
English: Loquat
Deutsch: Japanische Wollmispel
Etymology: the name of the genus derives from the Greek word meaning with thin scales like needles; the term bibas, distorted by Europeans, derives instead from the Chinese pi-pa, meaning fruit of the pipe, in reference to the traditional musical instrument, of which, in fact, it resembles the shape.
Description: evergreen broadleaf tree of small dimensions, with an erect trunk with greyish bark, smooth when young, with age it becomes cracked and forms brownish scales (hence the name of the genus).
The leaves, persistent, are very large of very robust consistency, with marked veins, have a deep green dorsal surface, shiny, while underneath they appear pale green, whitish and very hairy. Hairiness concerns all the young and non-lignified parts of the plant.
The inflorescence is gathered in a dense pyramidal panicle with woolly peduncles due to the presence of ferruginous hairs, with hermaphroditic flowers with five ivory-white petals, intensely fragrant; the smell is reminiscent of bitter almonds.
The fruit ripens in spring. The fruit is a globular apple the size of small apricots, with large seeds gathered in the center; the color of the peel ranges from pale yellow to bright orange; the pulp has a sweet and thirst-quenching flavor, the color ranges from white to orange, depending on the degree of ripeness.
Habitat: It is believed that the Japanese medlar is originally from China, then naturalized in Japan for about a millennium.
Properties and uses:
A peculiarity of the Japanese medlar is the very long flowering that goes from November to February, a characteristic much appreciated by bees because it is an important honey plant. For this reason, in the southern areas of Italy and Spain, a delicious honey is obtained from it.
The fruit, called medlar, has many beneficial properties: they are rich in mineral salts, anti-inflammatory and diuretic, help intestinal and liver regularity, are low in calories, improve blood pressure, replenish fluids lost through sweat; therefore, they are a panacea for athletes. Furthermore, they are an excellent hunger breaker, giving a good feeling of satiety.
Notes and Curiosities: It is an evergreen plant that produces tasty and healthy fruits, and can also be used for ornamental purposes. The leaves are very large with a globular, expanded and thick crown, without the need for pruning. However, the Japanese medlar plant needs targeted help to bear fruit. Since flowering occurs in autumn, between November and February, if temperatures are too cold or frosty during that period, the tree may not be able to produce its fruits. This explains why, in Italy, it is widespread especially in the south or in mild areas such as those of Garda.